umba box number one

Jan162013

Have you heard of Umba Box? I’ve had it on my mind for a few months but didn’t bite the bullet to subscribe until December. I purchased a 3 month regular subscription, and my first box arrived last week.Umba box is a monthly subscription service, similar to the Birchbox concept, but instead of cosmetics you receive unique handmade items. Each box is $25.00. And that is why I waited so long. While I value handmade, and love getting a suprise every month, I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to be glad about spending $25/month on items that I’m not sure I’ll like.Hence: the trial period. I’ll see how it goes.My first box had 2 items, a lip balm and a desktop calendar.

The lip balm does taste delicious, and I love the calendar. In fact, I once considered getting into the letterpress world because I love a beautiful letter-pressed card. Turns out, letterpress machines cost a pretty penny so I decided to table that idea for the time being.

Would I spend $25.00 on either of these things on my own? Probably not. Not because they aren’t worth that, but simply, they aren’t things I would typically spend that kind of money on. But that’s the nature of these box subscriptions! You are presented with new items and exposed to new businesses, so you need to be open-minded about it.

I really do understand why they charge $25/month. In order to receive high quality handmade items, you have to charge for it. I imagine they wouldn’t be able to find the same caliber of designers for, let’s say, a $10/month subscription.

I’ll share my review of next month’s box, and then in March share whether or not the subscription is something I’ll be keeping up.

I hadn’t heard about it until just now, but I do love the concept! You’re right though, $25/month is so much different than forking over $10 for the Birchbox subscription. Can’t wait to see what you get next!

I had a three-month subscription last year, and I didn’t continue one with after that. I loved every box I got, and I love handmade things from small businesses. But, I just didn’t feel like I should tie up $25 on items I may or may not like. But, I really did love the items I got. And, most importantly, I felt like I got $25 worth in items every month.

I have a subscription to love club which is also a subscription box full of handmade and small business product that help promote their wonderful business! They do have a waiting list but once a month they have extra boxes that they will have up for grabs to get your membership that way! So far I have gotten really cute things and its only $12 a month. Thought you might want to check this subscription out!

The thing I love about this box is the calendar because it’s something that you’ll use ALL year. So when you divide what you value the calendar at by twelve, then each month doesn’t seem so bad for the calendar (I have an accounting degree and I’m a cheapo…so sorry for the math!). lol -I also love the way the calendar is designed, that it’s not just a wall calendar or a plastic base or something, super cute and not many people have it! I think a three month subscription would be a nice treat for oneself, but I don’t know about a every single month. I completely think it’s a great gift to give someone else for three months-the gift that keeps on giving

Lovely item to have on the desk though – very unique. I would love to get a 3 month subscription as a gift! I get a beauty box which I love , but am also tempted to get a great craft box they do in the Uk now too. Oh dear – getting carried away! X

Fun!!! For the same price, you might try Hammock Pack. Erin (who runs Hammock Pack) works with small business people & picks really cool items around a theme each month. I wish I’d gotten her December box!

I feel like this would be an expensive way to accumulate a lot of dust-collectors! The calendar is super, super cute, but it would just be another item taking up room on my desk. And the lip balm is cute, but as the second item in a $25 box? Meh! I think I’ll put my $20 a month toward Birchbox and Ipsy.. because obviously every girl needs two beauty sample boxes every month

I’ve never heard of anything like this! Right now, I’m a full-time student so something like this isn’t what I’d spend my money on either. Once I’ve graduated and am working, I would be interested in subscribing to something like this! Thanks for the review.

I’ve been looking at Umba Box for a while, but like many of the comments, can’t justify the $25 price tag. I think 2 items aren’t enough, but that’s just me.

I recently signed up for Ipsy (like Birchbox, which I subscribe to aleady and LOVE) and for $10/month you get full size products in a cute makeup bag. I also subscribe to Cravebox (lifestyle, themed, about $12/month and you chose which box you want) and most recently Goodies (food, $7). These subscription boxes are addicting!

I stay home with our kids and that cut our income in half. I live through your frivolous purchases. Keep posting them so I can pretend it was me shopping at Target for fun things, getting Birchboxes, and surprises in the mail. Staying home with the kids is my choice and I love it but sometimes, it sucks not having extra cash for fun, little things…or a car.

Wow, I think $25/month is A LOT to spend on little handmade things. That’s $300 a year just on trinkets that I might not like. I’m not saying that buying things like this is wrong, but I can think of so many other things to put $300 of discretionary income towards, like a great pair of boots, or toward a vacation… things I’d enjoy a lot more in the long run for the money.

Wow! I don’t feel like anything in that box was worth spending $25 on. Like the person above said, that’s $300 a year you could put into a savings acct for paying a car off, mortgage, vacation! Things that are worth way more in life than a calendar and lip balm. I don’t think I’d sign up for this! Birch Box seems wayyyyy better!

Did the little calendar stand come with the delivery?! If so, that’s precious to put on a desk at work… more like a little conversation starter.

Like you I love, love, love, the art of letterpress. I discovered it recently at a small fine paper boutique in Edenton, NC. Since I’ve seen it, I’ve looked into using it on invitations since I’ll be getting married in October 2013! I will admit, it’s way out of the budget! If you ever decide to go into letterpress (years down the road when dollars are more discretionary!) feel free to give me a buzz– I’m in New Bern, NC!

I paid a very hefty price for a three month subscription for my sister for her birthday and Christmas, nothing she got was original, it was all cheap, juvenile junk. (magnets, a purse that doesn’t open wide enough for an adult to get their hand into, a poster…) The company won’t give me my money back or even offer to pay for shipping of the items back to them. Horrible experience which left me and my sister both feeling very bad about the circumstances.

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